Your 8-Year-Old Says ‘Everyone Lies’ – Why Shouldn’t I.” How to respond?

How do you respond when you have told your 8-year-old child that it is not right to lie, when they say, “Everybody does it. Why can’t I?

​Harold Robert Meyer | The ADD Resource Center  08/11/2025
Listen to understand, rather than to reply.

First, you can acknowledge their observation without accepting their conclusion: “You’re right that some people do lie sometimes. What do you think happens when people lie?” This opens up a conversation about consequences rather than just rules.

You might also help them think through the “everybody” claim: “Can you think of people who try really hard to be honest?” Most kids can think of someone they trust – a teacher, grandparent, or friend – which helps them see that not literally everyone lies.

The “why” question is really asking about fairness and your family’s values. You could explain it like: “In our family, we choose to be honest because we want people to trust us and because it helps us feel good about ourselves. Even when it’s hard.”

Sometimes it helps to distinguish between little social lies (“Your haircut looks nice!”) and lies that could hurt someone or get them out of trouble. Eight-year-olds are old enough to start understanding these nuances.

The key is to stay curious about their thinking rather than shutting down the conversation. They’re genuinely trying to figure out how the world works, and these discussions help build their moral reasoning skills.

---

---

Disclaimer: Our content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. Content may be generated with artificial intelligence tools, which can produce inaccuracies. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

---

About The ADD Resource Center

Evidence-based ADHD, business, career, and life coaching and consultation for individuals, couples, groups, and corporate clients. 
Empowering growth through personalized guidance and strategies. 

Contact Information 
Email: info@addrc.org 
Phone: +1 (646) 205-8080 
Address: 127 West 83rd St., Unit 133, Planetarium Station, New York, NY, 10024-0840 USA 
 

Follow Us: Facebook | “X”  | LinkedIn  | Substack  | ADHD Research and Innovation

Newsletter & Community 

Join our community and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest resources and insights. 
To unsubscribe, email addrc@mail.com with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. We’ll promptly remove you from our list. 

Harold Meyer 
The ADD Resource Center, Inc. 
Email: HaroldMeyer@addrc.org 

Legal 
Privacy Policy  

Under GDPR and CCPA, you have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. Contact us at info@addrc.org for requests or inquiries.  

• © 2025 The ADD Resource Center. All rights reserved.
  Content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.